Business
JUST IN: NUPENG, LASG in discussion over towing issues- Official
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) says it is engaging the Lagos State Government to resolve the ongoing issue of towed trucks.
It said that the negotiation aims to prevent disruptions in fuel distribution, which could lead to widespread scarcity.
In an interview on Tuesday in Lagos, General Secretary, NUPENG, Mr Olawale Afolabi, explained that the union had withdrawn its services in response to the recent attacks and arrests of tanker drivers by security personnel from the Lagos State Government.
Afolabi reassured that the situation would be resolved with the state authorities and that the towed trucks would be released to the union as promised by the government.
On Feb. 22, the Lagos State Task Force towed away several trucks and arrested several members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Association, a branch of NUPENG, near the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki for parking on the highways.
Afolabi added that a meeting is ongoing between NUPENG and the Lagos State Government, with both parties hopeful of reaching an agreement that will enable depot operations to resume.
He, however, said that the outcome of these talks remains uncertain, and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting further updates.
Similarly, Mr Tayo Aboyeji, the Chairman of NUPENG, Lagos branch, confirmed that the service withdrawal was in response to the mistreatment and arrest of tanker drivers by security personnel.
He clarified that the union had previously instructed drivers not to operate at night to avoid accidents and hijackings.
He said that in spite of this, drivers who stopped to rest were reportedly targeted by security officers.
“We had instructed tanker drivers not to travel at night to avoid accidents and hijackings.
“But when drivers parked to rest, security personnel towed their vehicles, arrested our members, and even damaged the union’s patrol vehicle,” Aboyeji said.
He added, “As a result, we decided to suspend services in the state until the government is ready to provide a safe and convenient space for tanker drivers, ensuring that such incidents do not occur again.”
Aboyeji assured that the national leadership of the union is in talks with the state government and that the matter would be resolved once discussions are concluded.
“There are ongoing discussions, and if they are completed today or tomorrow, the issue will be resolved,” he stated.
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Business
WEF could appoint Lagarde as its next chair, sources say
The WEF’s Board of Trustees, which includes Lagarde herself, was due to meet on November 2 and could elect her as its next chair, said the people close to the organisation, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
•European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde
The World Economic Forum could appoint Christine Lagarde as its next chair as soon as next month, four people close to the organisation told Reuters, meaning she would step down early as European Central Bank chief and trigger a wider reshuffle at the top of the ECB.Lagarde’s ECB term is scheduled to end in October 2027.
Leaving early would give European Union leaders a chance to pick a new ECB President before France’s spring presidential election, which opinion polls suggest the far-right could win, and could pave the way for a deal involving two other senior ECB roles.
The WEF’s Board of Trustees, which includes Lagarde herself, was due to meet on November 2 and could elect her as its next chair, said the people close to the organisation, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
No final decision has been taken yet, they said.
A spokesperson for the WEF said the forum could not confirm when the next full Board of Trustees meeting would take place, but that the aim was to hold one before the end of the year.
Business
Germany plans tax on sugary drinks
The tax is expected to generate additional revenue for the federal government of €690 million in 2027 and €925 million in 2028.
The German cabinet has approved draft legislation to tax sugary drinks in Europe’s biggest economy.
If passed by the German Bundestag, the tax will take effect on 1 July 2027.
The coalition aims to raise revenue for the federal budget while encouraging manufacturers to reduce sugar content and offer healthier products.
The levy is intended to ease pressure on the healthcare system, which faces costs of more than €2 billion every year linked to the high consumption of sugary drinks, which contributes to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.
According to the federal government, Berlin is using the tax to implement “what associations from the fields of health, science, child protection, and consumer protection have long been demanding.”
The tax is expected to generate additional revenue for the federal government of €690 million in 2027 and €925 million in 2028.
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